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All excursions are bookable on the ship
Topkapi Palace & Grand Bazaar
Embark on this journey to two of the most famous sights
in Istanbul, starting with the fascinating Topkapi
Palace which, according to Islamic tradition, is
arranged around a series of courtyards. It’s home to one
of the world’s most extensive collections of Chinese and
Japanese porcelain, crystal and silver. Plus you’ll find
robes worn by the sultans and their family, the famous
jewels of the Imperial Treasury and other priceless
relics. Leaving Topkapi behind, you’ll head off to the
Grand Bazaar. There’s free time to wander around this
labyrinth of streets and passages - just try not to get
lost! You’ll find more than 4,000 shops here, selling an
assortment of carpets, crafts, leather and jewellery.
Use your bartering skills and bag some bargains. Just so
you know... Some sites charge a nominal video/camera fee
which can be paid locally.
£44.00 / £26.00 (5hrs)
Classical Istanbul
With one foot in the East and one in the West, Turkey’s
cultural capital has enough monuments to keep you busy
for days. In its former life as Constantinople everyone
from the Byzantines to the Ottomans put their stamp on
the city. The best way to cram all the big-hitters into
one day? On our whistlestop city tour. We’ll whisk you
into the old city to see the Hippodrome where Ben Hur-style
chariot races were once held. You’ll also get to visit
the Blue Mosque next door. Otherwise known as
Sultanahmet Camii, this shapely house of worship is
decorated in bluey-green mosaics. From here you’ll walk
to the watermelon-pink and multi-domed Hagia Sofia, a
triumph of Byzantine design that’s often heralded as the
Eighth Wonder of the World. After having some free time
to grab some lunch, you'll visit Topkapi Palace, the
royal residence where a museum packed with Ottoman
treasures awaits. Last but not least, we’ll take you to
the Grand Bazaar, a half-century-old rabbit warren
stuffed with more than 4000 shops. Time is your own to
potter around the labyrinth, where you’ll find
everything from 41-carat rose diamonds and fine-knit
pashminas to Turkish carpets and pottery. Just so you
know… Please dress respectfully and remove shoes for
mosque visit. Time spent at the sights/bazaar will
depend on traffic.
£54.00 / £32.00 (8hrs)
Easy Istanbul
This tour takes in both the Asian and European sides of
Istanbul. Starting at the Dolmabahce Palace, the winter
residence of the Ottoman Sultans, you’ll have a quick
photo stop at the main gate, which is guarded by
soldiers even now. Then, continue over the famous
Bosphorus Bridge to the Asian side of the city, continue
along the Beylerbeyi coastline and then continue to
Harem and Uskudar. See from the coast the ‘Kýz Kulesi’
which is one of the symbols of Istanbul and have the
possibility to take a photograph with the old city in
the back. The tower was erected on rocks at 180 m.
distance to the shore driving along the coast street
from Harem. Finally, you’ll cross the Bosphorus Bridge
once more as you head to the old city, Sultanahmet.
There’s free time to take photos, plus some time at the
Hippodrome area, where you’ll be able to snap the
outside of the Blue Mosque and the Museum of St Sophia.
Just so you know... Free time at the Hippodrome area is
dependant on traffic conditions. There is no mandatory
walking involved on this tour or internal visits.
£30.00 / £18.00 (4.5hrs)
Tale of Two Continents Cruise
Bosphorus literally means “cow-ford”, so-called because
Zeus’s mistress fled across the strait in the shape of a
cow to escape his wife, Hera. Myth aside, the legendary
waterway is as beautiful now as it was in antiquity. No
visit to Istanbul’s complete without a cruise along the
glistening waters that link Europe with Asia. You’ll be
driven to your private motorboat to embark on your
voyage. During your pleasure cruise your guide explains
the contrast between the Eastern and Western quarters of
Istanbul. During your journey you’ll pass Ottoman
palaces, 19th century waterfront mansions and
postcard-pretty villages. Have your cameras ready as
there are plenty of fabulous photo opportunities.
£28.00 / £17.00 (2.5hrs)
Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia & Spice Market
Embark on this journey to three of the most famous
sights in Istanbul, starting with the Blue Mosque. This
is one of the major landmarks of Istanbul and one of a
select few mosques in the world with six minarets. After
a guided tour here, you’ll walk to the watermelon-pink
and multi-domed Hagia Sofia, a triumph of Byzantine
design that’s often heralded as the 8th Wonder of the
World. To end your tour, there’ll be one last stop at
the fragrant Spice Market. Breathe in the exotic scents
of cinnamon, saffron and mint as you rummage the stalls
and haggle for souvenirs to take home. Just so you
know... Some sites charge a nominal video/camera fee
which can be paid locally.
£44.00 / £26.00 (4hrs)
Beylerbeyi & Asia -
Istanbul hasn’t been dubbed the ‘City of the World’s
Desire’ for nothing. In fact, over the last few years,
it’s crept onto the radar as the destination du jour.
Maybe it’s got something to do with the fact this place
is a cultural melting pot. Istanbul is actually set in
the spot where Europe meets Asia, so what you get is a
bohemian mish-mash of East and West, with swish
galleries and hip bars giving way to Ottoman mosques and
traditional bazaars. On this tour you’ll visit
Berlerbeyi Palace over in the Asian side of the city. It
was built in the 18th century on the request of a
sultan, although it’s a far cry from the Aladdin-style
gold domes you might expect. Instead, with its crystal
chandeliers and stucco ceilings, it’d look more at home
on a tree-lined avenue in France. After a look inside,
you’ll head off on a narrated drive, and there’ll be a
photo stop in Harem, which offers up panoramic views
over the city. You’ll travel along the Bosporus Bridge
on your way back to the European side of the city – it
links the two continents together.
£28.00 / £17.00 (3.5hrs)
Rustempasha Mosque, Spice Bazaar & Pier Loti -
Bazaars, mosques and cafés are Turkish staples, and
they’re all in store on this trip. It begins in Eyup,
home of the Golden Horn, which is an inlet that divides
the Istanbul Strait. You’ll head up to the Pier Loti
which looks out over the water, and you’ll call in at a
traditional Turkish café. There’ll be time here for a
bit of people watching and a cup of the national tea,
before you check out the Rüstempacha Mosque in the town
of Eminou. This Ottoman masterpiece dates as far back as
the 15th century, and the colourful Iznik tiles that
cover its interiors are pretty spectacular. Up next is
the town’s Spice Bazaar. Breathe in the exotic scents of
cinnamon, saffron and mint as you rummage the stalls and
haggle for souvenirs to take home.
£28.00 / £17.00 (3.5hrs)
Shore excursions and prices are subject to change and
latest prices will be available onboard the ship.
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